The Belfast Legend Continues - Part 1
Author: michelle pirovich
Wednesday, May 7, 2003
Khalil Hegarty
What is Belfast all about for you-
Belfast is all about looking through my record collection, and playing songs from six however many years ago that I used to play or used to love on the dancefloor.
What do you miss about the old days-
An incredibly tight scene where you'd run into the same people at house gigs, techno gigs, drum'n'bass gigs, and hip hop gigs. And because of that, there are a lot of people who I don't see anymore. After years in the scene as promoters, DJs or punters, they've moved on either lifestyle-wise or music-wise, and some have passed away. Rest in peace.
What is the biggest change you have witnessed in Melbourne's dance scene-
The sheer fact that it's gone from underground (and mysterious) to being an incredibly visible and accepted part of culture in Melbourne. A decade ago, you'd be lucky to see anything about club culture in The Age or Rolling Stone. Now it's a regular thing.
Some time has passed since Melbourne's dance scene began to emerge, any stand out memories-
They're all a bit hazy. But there are some truly brilliant nights that I can remember. The first Razor party I ever went to blew my mind. As did the first time I went to Saratoga. Upstairs at Savage was always cool - there was always great music and the same goes for the Loft parties at Chasers, Jayse Knipe's sets at Fantasia and Electric at Redhead. But two parties always stand out: 'Land of the Giants' and 'Where the Wild Things Are.' The latter was Jeff Mills' first Australian tour, and he truly made people go insane. The whole building nearly caught fire thanks to a stray cigarette, and Jeff Tyler played a morning set to die for.
What track are you most looking forward to playing for the old skoolers-
Maybe Biz Markie's Nobody Beats The Biz.
What track do you never want to hear again-
Anything by the Prodigy.
What track could you never part with-
Lesson 3 by Double Dee and Steinski, Lesson 4 by DJ Shadow, or Lesson 6 by Cut Chemist.
Is it as good today as it was back then-
Trying to make a comparison is kinda wrong. Things are so different now to back then that comparing them doesn't make sense. Now, dance music is a multi-million dollar industry with a high level of professionalism, corporate investors, and DJs who run their own companies. Back then, it was a just a bunch of dudes who wanted to put on a good party and find a way to pay their rent for a while, and DJs who were trying to pay for their record habits. In many ways it's better now, but people are always going to be nostalgic whether it's about music or football. I say, enjoy everything you've got - while you've got it.
Simon Coyle
What is Belfast all about for you-
A night to run amuck I guess - not take it all so seriously and listen to the old (and sometimes almost comical) tunes of yester year...
What do you miss about the old days-
Just the fact it was new to us then and therefore very exciting. We had a community feeling that I'm sure the regular new comers of today enjoy only for a while.
What is the biggest change you have witnessed in Melbourne's dance scene-
Commercialisation of the movement.
Some time has passed since Melbourne's dance scene began to emerge, any stand out memories-
Of course -
Back of Palace was the Shit!
Friday nights at Whizz - Mansion.
Hardware 2 was my personal favourite I think.
Early Earthcores.
Cosmic baby first time at Palace (I know it should have been shameful but wasn't...)
Sasha at dream (it was all just dance then....)
The first halcyon knights w Tags